The V8 Owners Forum -

I have a 3.5 rover engine fitted with a 390 holley carb and electronic ignition. When it has stood for more than a couple of days it refuses to start with out having been turned over for what seems like an age, at least a couple of minutes. It turns, splutters, then continues to spin. It does start eventually and then runs fine and will start all day after that. I have checked all timing and ignition issues and although it doesn't seem to have the best spark it fires eventually. I have tried setting the carb mixture screws at various settings, have set them when hot and when cold, and have it running sweet when hot with plenty of power and no misfiring or flat spots. Have run out of ideas and would be grateful of any assistance.

Are you running an electric fuel pump and if so does it run when the ignition is on ore do you have an oil pressure switch which also controls the fuel pump?

It sounds to me like the fuel in the carb is evaporating therefore the engine is trying to run on fresh air for many revolutions of the crankshaft.

It has an electric fuel pump that runs off ignition feed and you can here it fill the carb before you start to crank the engine.

If the spark is marginal, it will be worst after the vehicle is left and the battery discharges slightly. Try leaving the battery on charge and then attempt a cold start after a couple of days, just after disconnecting the charger. That would prove if it was a spark problem. Or of course just low battery volts.

Or tow start it.

Chris.

The battery is fine and I keep an eye on the charge. I think I may have been taking to much notice of the book settings. I recently 'richened' the tick over mixture by a full turn either side and it started straight off the key. It ran and drove well but didn't like the choke and wasn't as smooth at tick over as it had been. I will leave it for a few days and then try again and if it starts immediately I will adjust slightly to smooth it out. Wish me luck and maybe I should chuck the manual

It sounds like lack of idle fuel for the start up.

When you try to start it are you just pulling the choke out and cranking?

If so then give the pedal two pumps after you have heard the pump fill the carb and wait just 2-3 seconds before you crank it over and see what happens.

If it does not like the choke from stone cold I think you may need to make some adjustments.

Does it have a coil?
If so change it. They are not too expensive. Look at my thread on my starting problems. Put a new coil in and VROOOOOM. Started up much better.